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Communities and the Untapped Potential of Baby Boomers

ELGL is proud to feature the writing and thinking of longtime member Mark Funkhouser. Here’s his latest post, and you can also sign up for his newsletter here or connect with him via email. State and local governments have long known they have a workforce pipeline problem, but the Great Resignation brought on by the pandemic has intensified...

It's #ELGLKnope Time!

Each year, the Engaging Local Government Leaders (ELGL) network celebrates the best places in local government. Affectionately known as the #ELGLKnope, this recognition program is designed to showcase and celebrate the places that local government maintains and manages. In prior years, we've honored city halls, parks, libraries, and water facilities. In 2022, we're celebrating the...

Exclusive Content: Human Resources

Government Needs to Rehabilitate Its Image to Attract and Retain Workers

This guest commentary is by Bob J. Lavigna with CPS HR Consulting. Bob is the author of the book "Engaging Government Employees," and director of the Institute for Public Sector Employee Engagement, a division of CPS HR Services, an independent government agency. This article originally appeared on RouteFifty. Nearly every sector of the U.S....

The 2022 AARP Community Challenge Is On!

This opportunity is offered by our friends at AARP Livable Communities. Learn how to apply for a quick-action grant! Deadline: Tuesday, March 22 The AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to fund quick-action projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages. This year, applications will be accepted for projects to improve...

The Other Half of Equity

This guest article is by ELGL member Matt Hirschinger, Assistant to the City Manager for the City of Arvada, CO. Read all of Matt's other articles at the Social Justice --> Government homepage. Equity does not exist within a vacuum. In order to have true meaning, it needs to apply to something. Equitable hiring practices,...

Podcast: Texas Target Communities with Texas A&M University and Nolanville, TX

Kara Escajeda City Manager City of Nolanville, TX LinkedIn Dr. Wei Li Associate Professor Texas A&M University LinkedIn Jaimie Masterson Director at Texas Target Communities Texas A&M University LinkedIn Big ideas in small cities. Three guests joined the podcast to talk about the Texas Target Communities program. Kara Escajeda is the City Manager of...

But You Don’t Live Here.

Today’s Buzz is by Morning Buzzer Kim Nakahodo – connect with her on LinkedIn & Twitter! What I’m Watching: With the kiddos: The Book of Boba Fett Without the kiddos: Ozark What I’m Reading: The Cornbread Mafia by James Higdon What I’m Listening To: KCUR; GovLove; Hidden Brain There is an interesting phenomenon that I...

National Civic Review - Winter Edition

This quarterly journal is brought to you by our friends at the National Civic League. Winter Edition — Access Code: ELGL22 In this issue our authors provide new insights on local efforts to address some of the most pressing issues of 2022, including innovative approaches to policing, racial equity, public engagement, restoring trust in the news...

Podcast: Arts Data in the Public Sector with Erin Harkey and David Andersson

Erin Harkey Commissioner, Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events City of Chicago, IL LinkedIn David Andersson Arts Team Bloomberg Associates LinkedIn | Twitter Strategies for local arts agencies. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about a new guide from Bloomberg Associates on data and art. Erin Harkey is the Commissioner of the Department...

The Transitional Leader

Today's Morning Buzz is by Kayla Barber Perrota. Connect on LinkedIn. What I’m Listening to: My playlist I've been building since 7th grade What I’m Reading: Crazy Rich Asians What I’m Watching: Great News What I’m Doing: Learning how to use an InstaPot A few months ago I found myself in a position I never...

Why I Didn’t Quit (Even Though I Wanted To)

Today's Buzz is by Kevin Teater. Kevin Teater is the executive director of the Beaverton (Oregon) Downtown Association, a candidate for Beaverton City Council, a City of Beaverton planning commissioner, and an ELGL member since 2017. Connect with Kevin on Twitter or LinkedIn. What I’m Listening to – Coldplay What I’m Reading – A heck...

Our Work Is Not Transactional

Today’s Buzz is by Meredith Reynolds, Deputy City Manager for Recovery for the City of Long Beach. Follow Meredith on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram. What I’m Listening To: Wild Rivers new EP Bedrock What I’m Watching: Checking out a new spooky series Archive81 (that I totally watch between fingers over my eyes.. I scare easily)...

Contribute to the Black History Month 2022 Content Series

To celebrate Black History Month, ELGL is re-launching a writing series focused on Black joy and experiences in public service. Our goal is to highlight and amplify Black voices in local government, although posts from allies are welcome as well. You are welcome to submit your article in February or anytime during the year. Black...

Podcast: Small-Scale Manufacturing as Economic Development with Ilana Preuss

Ilana Preuss Author CEO of Recast City LinkedIn | Twitter | Bio Recast your city. Ilana Preuss, author and CEO of Recast City, joined the podcast to talk about her new book Recast Your City, about how small-scale manufacturing is a better way to create thriving communities and strong economic development. She shared what small-scale...

How to Build a Connected Community

Today's Buzz is by Meredith Trimble, Content Manager, Editorial, with Tyler Technologies, Inc., and former Acting Chair, Farmington, CT Town Council (Twitter, LinkedIn) What I'm reading: Protocol: The Power of Diplomacy, by Capricia Marshall What I'm watching: 2022 Winter Olympic trials What I'm listening to: Access to Justice Through Virtual Courts from the Tyler Tech...

Podcast: Living in One Neighborhood with Penn State and State College, PA

Kevin Kassab Community Engagement Manager Borough of State College, PA Douglas Shontz Assistant to the Manager Borough of State College, PA LinkedIn | Twitter An invitation to engage. Two guests joined the podcast to talk about the Living in One Neighborhood (LION) program between Pennsylvania State University and State College, PA. Kevin Kassab, Community Engagement...

6 Steps to Writing Better Government Job Posts

Today's Morning Buzz is by Jenny Kosek, Economic Development Specialist at City of West Allis, WIS. Connect with her on Twitter and LinkedIn. What I'm Reading: Bagombo Snuff Box by Kurt Vonnegut What I'm Watching: Succession season 2 (I'm behind!) What I'm Listening To: Here and Now Writing an excellent, effective, inclusive job post isn’t...

Opportunity: Service Design Workshop

ELGL is pleased to share this new learning opportunity for local government leaders from our friends Judi Brown, Rebecca Woodbury, and Jason Schneider: Getting out of the hamster wheel is hard. We know we need to spend more time learning new things. We know we need to spend more time working on hard things. But...

Be REAL, Be you!

Today’s post is by Chanté Mitchell, One of ELGL's Program Director's (Twitter and LinkedIn) What I’m watching: Manifest What I'm listening to: The Read podcast What I’m doing: Planning a wedding! It’s really insane, but WOW! This is my first time writing for ELGL. For the greater part of my career in local government, I spent a large...